Racing

Cadillac Dominates Fuji WEC Qualifying, Aston Martin Secures LMGT3 Pole

The Fuji World Endurance Championship (WEC) qualifying session saw Cadillac assert its dominance in the hypercar category, securing both front-row grid positions. Meanwhile, Aston Martin delivered a stellar performance to clinch pole position in the LMGT3 class, setting the stage for a thrilling race weekend.

Fuji Showdown: Cadillac's Double Pole & Aston Martin's GT3 Triumph

Cadillac's Unrivaled Pace in Hypercar Qualifying

Cadillac's performance at the Fuji WEC qualifying was nothing short of exceptional, marking their third front-row lockout of the season. Alex Lynn, driving the #12 Cadillac V-Series.R, demonstrated remarkable speed, securing pole position. His teammate, Earl Bamber, in the #38 Jota Caddy, closely followed, ensuring an all-Cadillac front row for the upcoming Fuji 6 Hours race.

Lynn's Pole-Setting Performance

Alex Lynn's journey to pole position involved two impressive laps during the critical 10-minute Hyperpole session. His initial fast lap of 1m28.637s narrowly surpassed Bamber's 1m28.675s. Lynn then further improved his time to a blistering 1m28.236s, solidifying Cadillac's grip on the top spot.

Aston Martin's Strong Showing and Third Place

Despite Cadillac's dominance, Aston Martin's #009 Aston Martin Valkyrie Le Mans Hypercar, piloted by Marco Sorensen, secured a commendable third place on the grid. Sorensen, who had led the initial qualifying, managed to improve his Hyperpole time to 1m28.705s, positioning Aston Martin as a strong contender behind the leading Cadillacs.

Competitive Field: Peugeot, BMW, and Ferrari Vie for Positions

The hypercar category displayed a tightly contested field beyond the front runners. Mikkel Jensen of Peugeot's #93 9X8 2024 LMH secured fourth place with a 1m28.716s. Sheldon van der Linde placed the #20 WRT BMW M Hybrid V8 LMDh in fifth, while Antonio Giovinazzi brought the championship-leading #51 AF Corse Ferrari 499P LMH to sixth. Porsche, Alpine, and the customer Ferrari also rounded out the top 10, indicating a race filled with strategic battles.

LMGT3 Pole Position for Aston Martin

In the LMGT3 class, Eduardo Barrichello of the Racing Spirit of Leman Aston Martin Vantage GT3 delivered a standout performance, claiming his second pole position of the season. His final lap of 1m39.981s edged out Sean Gelael and Sebastien Baud, both driving United Autosports McLaren 720S GT3s Evos, by narrow margins. This result highlights Aston Martin's prowess in the GT category.

Hypercar Hyperpole Results: A Detailed Overview

The hypercar Hyperpole results showcase the top teams and their qualifying times, with Cadillac Hertz Team JOTA leading the pack. The table details each team's position, car model, number of laps, best time, interval to the leader, and average speed, offering a comprehensive look at the qualifying performances.

LMGT3 Hyperpole Results: A Closer Look

The LMGT3 Hyperpole results provide a similar breakdown for the GT class, with Racing Spirit of Leman at the forefront. The table illustrates the competitive nature of the LMGT3 category, detailing the positions, team information, car models, lap times, and other relevant metrics for all participating teams.

Jorge Martin's Injury Woes Continue with Collarbone Fracture at Japanese GP Sprint

Aprilia MotoGP racer Jorge Martin has faced another setback, sustaining a displaced collarbone fracture during a first-lap incident at the Japanese Grand Prix sprint. This injury necessitates surgery and rules him out of the upcoming Sunday race, marking a continuation of a challenging season for the Spanish rider.

Martin's Season of Setbacks Continues with Fourth Major Injury

A Grueling Start to the Japanese Grand Prix Sprint Race

Starting from the seventeenth position on the grid, Aprilia rider Jorge Martin encountered difficulties as he misjudged his braking into Turn 1, following a tight squeeze from competitors. This unfortunate maneuver led to a collision with Gresini Ducati's Fermin Aldeguer, subsequently sending Martin and his teammate, Marco Bezzecchi, into the gravel trap.

Immediate Medical Attention and Diagnosis for Martin

Following the crash, Martin was promptly transported to the circuit's medical center for examination. X-ray scans confirmed a displaced fracture in his right collarbone, precluding him from participating in Sunday's main race. An official statement from Aprilia detailed the findings and outlined the immediate next steps for the rider.

Surgical Intervention and Recovery Plan

Further medical assessments led to the decision for Martin to undergo surgery in Spain. The procedure for the reduction and fixation of his fractured right collarbone is scheduled for Monday at the Hospital Universitari Dexeus in Barcelona, to be performed by Dr. Xavier Mir and his team. This marks a critical phase in his recovery.

Bezzecchi's Condition and Overall Impact of the Incident

In the aftermath of the crash, Marco Bezzecchi also underwent medical checks for a severe contusion on his right leg. MotoGP doctor Angel Charte provided an update, confirming Bezzecchi's injury was less severe, involving bruising and pain requiring anti-inflammatories and rehabilitation. He further elaborated on Martin's situation, highlighting the displaced nature of the fracture and the need for a CT scan to ensure there was no lung involvement. Martin was conscious and stable, albeit sedated due to pain.

A Pattern of Injuries Plagues Martin's Season

This incident is the fourth major injury for Martin in the current 2025 season, casting a shadow over his debut with the Noale factory. Earlier in the year, he crashed during pre-season testing in Sepang and again while training for the Thailand opener. A subsequent crash at the Qatar Grand Prix, involving Fabio di Giannantonio, resulted in broken ribs and a lung injury, sidelining him until the Czech GP in July. The duration of his recovery from this latest fracture remains uncertain.

Images from Japanese GP - Qualifying and Sprint

A collection of photographs from the Japanese Grand Prix's qualifying and sprint sessions captures moments of intense competition and the unfortunate incidents that transpired.

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Max Verstappen's NLS GT3 Nürburgring Debut Live Stream

Experience the thrill as four-time Formula 1 world champion Max Verstappen participates in his inaugural GT3 event today at the legendary Nürburgring Nordschleife. He will be sharing driving duties in a Ferrari 296 with Chris Lulham, representing the Emil Frey Racing team. Their starting position for the intense four-hour Nurburgring Endurance Series (NLS) race is an impressive third on the grid.

The highly anticipated livestream of the event commenced at 11:15 AM CET, with the green flag dropping for the race at precisely 12:00 PM CET. Fans worldwide are tuning in to witness Verstappen's transition into the challenging world of GT3 racing on one of the most demanding circuits globally. This marks a significant moment in the racing career of the celebrated Formula 1 driver.

Verstappen's participation in this GT3 race follows his recent acquisition of a specialized license, which is a prerequisite for competing in GT3 events on the Nordschleife. This achievement underscores his commitment and adaptability across different disciplines of motorsport. His entry has generated considerable excitement, bringing increased attention to the NLS series and the GT3 category.

The partnership with seasoned GT3 racer Chris Lulham is expected to provide a strong foundation for the team's performance. The Ferrari 296, a formidable machine in the GT3 landscape, will be pushed to its limits by the duo. The four-hour endurance format will test both driver and machine, demanding consistent performance, strategic pit stops, and flawless execution. Racing enthusiasts are keenly observing how the Formula 1 maestro will fare against established GT3 specialists on the challenging Nordschleife circuit.

Today marks the highly anticipated GT3 race debut for Max Verstappen at the Nürburgring Nordschleife. The event, part of the Nurburgring Endurance Series, sees Verstappen and teammate Chris Lulham start their Ferrari 296 from the third position. This four-hour endurance challenge is a significant step for the F1 champion, following his recent qualification for GT3 racing on this demanding track. The live broadcast of the race started at 11:15 AM CET, with the race officially commencing at noon.

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